Marked golf ball and method for marking golf ball

Abstract

A golf ball having a mark with a distinct appearance unrealizable by only changing in tint. Ink can be prepared by mixing one or more components which provide luster such as pearl particles, shell particles, mica particles and the like in an ink medium. Therefore, ink can be used for marking the surface of the golf ball by an indirect printing used with a transfer printing film or a direct printing such as a pad printing, a screen printing and the like. The composition of the ink is 5 to 150 parts by weight of the mica, pearl particles and the like. The mica, the pearl particles and the like are employed for flat forms.

We claim:  
     
       1. A method for applying a mark of a desired pattern on a surface of a golf ball, said method comprising the steps of: 
       producing an ink composition by mixing a component developing luster and an ink medium; and  
       applying said ink composition on the surface of said golf ball.  
     
     
       2. A method for applying a mark of a desired pattern on a surface of a golf ball as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said applying step comprises the steps of; 
       applying said ink composition in a desired pattern on a base film for a transfer printing film to form an ink layer on said base film;  
       positioning the ink layer to the golf ball surface; and  
       hot-pressing said ink layer on the base film against said golf ball to transfer said ink layer to the golf ball surface.  
     
     
       3. A method for applying a mark of a desired pattern on a surface of a golf ball as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said applying step comprises the steps of: 
       applying said ink composition in a desired pattern on a printing plate for a pad printing;  
       pressing said pad onto said printing plate to adhere said ink composition to said pad; and  
       pressing said pad onto the golf ball surface to transfer said ink composition to a surface of the golf ball.  
     
     
       4. A method for applying a mark of a desired pattern on a surface of a golf ball as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said applying step comprises the steps of; 
       forming a desired pattern on a printing material for screen printing;  
       facing said printing material to the golf ball surface; and  
       squeegeeing said ink composition on the printing material to transfer said ink composition to a surface of the golf ball.  
     
     
       5. A method for applying a mark of a desired pattern on a surface of a golf ball as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said ink composition contains 15 to 250 parts by weight of said luster developing component relative to 100 parts by weight of ink resin. 
     
     
       6. A method for applying a mark of a desired pattern on a surface of a golf ball as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said ink composition contains 5 to 150 parts by weight of said luster developing component relative to 100 parts by weight of ink medium. 
     
     
       7. A method for applying a mark of a desired pattern on a surface of a golf ball as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said luster developing component is a flake or scale-like, crystalloid or non-crystalloid nucleus coated with a light reflective material. 
     
     
       8. A method for applying a mark of a desired pattern on a surface of a golf ball as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said nucleus is a mica. 
     
     
       9. A method for applying a mark of a desired pattern on a surface of a golf ball as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said light reflective material is metal oxide or metal nitride. 
     
     
       10. A method for applying a mark of a desired pattern on a surface of a golf ball as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said metal oxide is an iron oxide. 
     
     
       11. A method for applying a mark of a desired pattern on a surface of a golf ball as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the hot-pressing temperature is ca. 90 to 150° C., or 150 to 180° C. and the hot-pressing time is one second.